Study on Management of Natural flavor

Abstract

There is a higher demand in natural flavors following the growing consumer uncertainties towards synthetic flavors. However, it cannot be denied that the natural flavors lack basic materials for safety control and management. This study aims to provide control measures for natural flavors through international harmonization. Thus, this paper suggests control measures for domestically distributed natural flavors based on the analysis of the control system at home and abroad; the report on the production of domestic natural flavors and the current status of import declaration; and the investigation on the reality and the awareness of the industry. With regards to the control system, a comparative analysis was carried out on the major regulations, definition and scope, classification, the lists of original materials, indication, standard, the ingredient ratio, safety evaluation, and the manufacturing practices (solvents of extracting etc.) with the systems of Korea, Japan, EU, the US, CODEX, IOFI, FEMA, and CoE. Then, a revised plan was created for items that need to be globalized such as definition and scope, original materials, and manufacturing practices. Furthermore, the study has integrated the lists of original materials at home and abroad, collected safety evaluation materials, established a database on natural flavors that connects the main and flavoring substances, and developed a search program. For import declaration, it was concluded that the submission of original materials and safety evaluation should be mandatory, the risk management should be conducted by the Korean MFDS, and an education should be provided to the industry so it to be responsible for the safety following the result of the risk management directed by a relevant organization. In addition, the indication of natural flavors is crucial information for the consumers, which cannot be mislead. Therefore, the government should clearly regulate the standard of 'natural' and educate the industry so that they will mark 'natural' only when the original materials and manufacturing methods are natural. In particular, the promotion of continuous awareness education is vital to consumers as they have to realize that 'natural' does not mean 'safe'. A phased approach was taken for the above suggested control measures: building infrastructure (1st phase), revising legal definition and scope (2nd phase), and globalizing the control measures (3rd phase).